DC Police boost counter-terror unit

WASHINGTON, April 12 (UPI) -- The Metropolitan Police Department in the nation's capital has created a new counter-terror unit reporting directly to Chief Charles Ramsey.

The new Office of Homeland Security and Counter-Terrorism replaces the department's Domestic Security Office, which was part of the Special Operations Division. The new office will be based at headquarters and its new chief -- Police Cmdr. Cathy Lanier -- will report directly to Ramsey, according to the Common Denominator newspaper.

The changes became effective Sunday, according to the department's Web site.

Lanier is a 16-year department veteran who has headed its Special Operations Division since 2002. She previously commanded the Fourth Police District and the department's special unit in charge of big drug or gang crime cases.

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